Rapidly infusing compositions for oral mucosal delivery and methods

ABSTRACT

A rapidly infusing composition that includes (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable binder and/or excipient system containing gelatin, sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol), and a flavorant and (b) an active therapeutic ingredient (ATI). Preferred rapidly infusing compositions are those formulated with a PDE 5  inhibitor as the ATI. A method of administering an ATI such as a PDE 5  inhibitor to a subject is also disclosed. The subject is administered the rapidly infusing composition via the oral mucosa to treat a condition responsive to inhibition of PDE 5 , for example, erectile dysfunction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/225,738 filed Apr. 8, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/114,194 filed Nov. 16, 2020; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/114,181 filed Nov. 16, 2020; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/147,453 filed Feb. 9, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/172,343 filed Apr. 8, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/172,362 filed Apr. 8, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/172,386 filed Apr. 8, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/172,368 filed Apr. 8, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/180,193 filed Apr. 27, 2021; which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a rapidly infusing composition for oral mucosal uptake, in particular, for administration of a PDE₅ inhibitor useful for the treatment of conditions responsive to inhibition of PDE₅, for example, erectile dysfunction.

Description of the Related Art

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to attain or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It is the most common sexual problem in men, affecting about 30 million men in the United States, and it has been estimated that the worldwide prevalence of erectile dysfunction will be 322 million cases by the year 2025. Through its connection to self-image and to problems in sexual relationships, erectile dysfunction has a significant impact on both the physical and psychosocial health aspects of men and their partners.

One example of a PDE₅ inhibitor is sildenafil citrate (Viagra®), which since approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in March, 1998 has been commercialized for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil functions as a vasodilator by blocking the degradative action of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE₅) on cyclic GMP in the smooth muscle cells lining the blood vessels supplying various tissues, including the corpora cavernosa of the penis, thereby facilitating erection with sexual stimulation. Since its advent, the class of agents known as type-5 phosphodiesterase (PDE₅) inhibitors has become a first-line therapy for ED. Almost immediately after its discovery, and since, researchers have attempted to improve upon Viagra® oral (film-coated) tablets, as well as other drugs in the PDE₅ inhibitor class, focusing primarily on areas of convenience, bioavailability, and speed of onset. Convenience is important because PDE₅ inhibitors like sildenafil are commonly administered irregularly (as needed) just before sexual activity, with administration in some cases needing to be carried out urgently in unexpected situations. As a result, attempts have been made to develop PDE₅ inhibitors such as sildenafil into formulations that are easily taken without water. Improving bioavailability and thereby reducing dosage levels is also desirable because PDE₅ inhibitors like sildenafil have been reported to have dose-related side effects including headache, facial flushing, dyspepsia, dizziness, nasal congestion, abnormal vision, and palpitation. It is also desirable that any erectile dysfunction pharmacotherapy be fast acting, so that a minimum of scheduling or advance planning is required prior to sexual activity. PDE₅ inhibitors currently on the market as oral tablets require advanced planning for use, for example, avanafil (Stendra®) has a median time to reach maximum plasma concentration (t_(max)) of 30-45 minutes, sildenafil (Viagra®) and vardenafil (Levitra®) have a median t_(max) of 60 minutes, and tadalafil (Cialis®) has a median t_(max) of 120 minutes, with onset times for avanafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil being even more delayed (effectively doubling t_(max)) when these tablets are taken with high fat foods.

One of the earliest attempts at improved PDE₅ inhibitor dosage forms, filed in 1999, was U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,024, which describes a “mucosal surface-coat-forming film” dosage containing sildenafil. The '024 patent explicitly recognized the goals of convenience, bioavailability and fast onset. On bioavailability, the '024 patent included a direct comparison between its dissolving film dosage form and a commercial Viagra® tablet at the same dosage, and found a 25% improvement in bioavailability compared to the commercial tablet. However, the film of the '024 patent was found to have effectively no onset time advantage over the Viagra® tablet, with both dosage forms providing an identical T max of 1 hour. One potential reason for this is that the film of the '024 patent is designed to dissolve in saliva and then to be swallowed in liquid form—only a fraction of the dose is absorbed through the oral mucosal tissue with the remainder needing to pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) system. In order to increase the fraction of drug absorbed locally at the oral mucosal surface, the '024 patent targeted a “slow release of the active agent at the mucosal surface [which] will give rise to increased uptake by the mucosal surface.” A second potential reason for the disappointing uptake performance of the film described in the '024 patent relates to another problem associated with sildenafil citrate, its highly bitter taste. In order to mask the bitter taste of sildenafil, the '024 patent encapsulates the active agent within a polymer. Encapsulation or coating, while a potentially effective taste masking technique, necessarily delays disintegration, uptake, and ultimately onset of action.

Problems associated with the bitter taste of PDE₅ inhibitors such as sildenafil citrate in orally dissolving/disintegrating dosage forms are well known and long felt. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 10,092,651 noted that a coating, ion exchange resin adsorption, or the use of a masking aid is required to mask the extremely bitter taste of sildenafil citrate, which increases the thickness of the film and deteriorates the physical properties and brittleness of the film. After describing a long litany of failed efforts to mask the bitter flavor of sildenafil and other similarly bitter tasting PDE₅ inhibitors, the '651 patent concluded that using conventional techniques for bitter taste masking of an active ingredient inevitably leads to poor physical performance and issues related to brittleness in the films. The proposed solution of the '651 patent was to use a combination of magnesium oxide and sodium hydroxide as a taste masking agent through pH adjustment. While this taste masking strategy purports to have improved the bitter-taste masking issue in a film, it was not reported to provide any benefit in either bioavailability or onset. Indeed, one of the express goals of the '651 patent was to match the 100 mg dosage level of commercially available Viagra® tablets in a film dosage form, which would only be necessary if the bioavailability of each formulation were equivalent. The failure to improve bioavailability, as well as onset time, is because the film of the '651 patent effectively works like an ingested tablet, whereby the oral film formulation is completely disintegrated and/or dissolved in the oral cavity after taking without water (taking as long as 100 seconds), and is then ingested and absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition to the film dosage forms described above, attempts have also been made to formulate bitter drugs such as sildenafil, tadalafil, etc. in orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) dosage forms, where taste masking remains a need. U.S. Pat. No. 10,568,832 describes traditional techniques for addressing bitter drugs in these dosage forms by providing a thick polymer-membrane around the drug particle by encapsulation (coacervation by phase separation) in order to eliminate/minimize drug-release in the oral cavity. The '832 patent describes a purported improvement to such taste masking efforts by applying a taste masking membrane made from a combination of water-insoluble and gastrosoluble polymers to crystals, granules, beads or pellets containing the active ingredient, whereby the ODT disintegrates in the buccal cavity in about 60 seconds thereby forming an easy to swallow suspension that releases the dose upon entry into the stomach. The '832 patent defines its “rapid” release profile as releasing not less than 60% of the dose in the stomach in about 30 minutes, which was considered an improvement over other taste-masked ODTs that rely on coatings of water-insoluble polymers such as ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate, Eudragit® RS, RL, L, S and NE30D polymers (available from Evonik), that result in sustained release.

Another purported advance for taste masking bitter drugs such as sildenafil lactate is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,548,847. The '847 patent describes orally disintegrating dosage forms that use a second coating based on a mixture of “buffer” and “shield” components, which goes over the already coated active ingredient and protects the underlying coating from damage during manufacture to ensure that the bitter-tasting active ingredient is not released in the oral environment.

Another orodispersible tablet form of sildenafil has also been reported in Damle, B.; Duczynski, G.; Jeffers, B. W. et al. Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Orodispersible Tablet of Sildenafil in Healthy Subjects, 2014, Clinical Therapeutics, 36 (2), 236-244. These orodispersible tablets are designed to be placed on the tongue, disintegrated, and then swallowed with saliva or with an optional glass of water. While these formulations offer patients with convenience and an easy-to-swallow alternative to traditional solid oral dosage forms, the orodispersible tablets of sildenafil were found to be bioequivalent to the traditional film-coated tablets of sildenafil (i.e., Viagra®) ingested orally, with no improvements in onset or systemic exposure.

Formulations such as those described above, which are designed to disintegrate in the oral environment and to be swallowed, provide convenience, and when active ingredient coating/encapsulation techniques are used, address taste masking—however, they provide no improvement over standard ingested tablets for either bioavailability nor onset.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the forgoing, there exists a need for a new dosage form for PDE₅ inhibitors such as sildenafil that provides convenience, effective taste masking, increased bioavailability, and more rapid onset, simultaneously.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel rapidly infusing compositions formulated with a PDE₅ inhibitor that meet the above criteria.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel processes for manufacturing the rapidly infusing composition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel methods of administering a PDE₅ inhibitor to a subject.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel methods of treating a condition in a subject that is responsive to inhibition of PDE₅.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel methods of treating erectile dysfunction in a subject.

These and other objects, which will become apparent during the following detailed description, have been achieved by the inventors' discovery of its Rapid Infusion Technology™ (RITe) platform through which PDE₅ inhibitors can be rapidly delivered into systemic circulation via the oral mucosae (without swallowing) for convenient/discreet administration, rapid onset of action, high bioavailability, and while also mitigating the bitter taste imparted by the PDE₅ inhibitors.

Thus, the present invention provides:

-   -   (1) A rapidly infusing composition, comprising:         -   a pharmaceutically acceptable binder and/or excipient system             comprising gelatin, sugar alcohol, and a flavorant, and         -   a PDE₅ inhibitor.     -   (2) The rapidly infusing composition of (1), which is         lyophilized.     -   (3) The rapidly infusing composition of (1) or (2), which has a         disintegration time of approximately 1 to 30 seconds in         deionized water maintained at 37° C.±2° C.     -   (4) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (3),         which has a disintegration time of approximately 1 to 5 seconds         in deionized water maintained at 37° C. 2° C.     -   (5) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (4),         wherein the gelatin is present in the rapidly infusing         composition in an amount of 10 to 35 wt. %, based on a total         weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.     -   (6) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (5),         wherein the gelatin is mammalian gelatin.     -   (7) The rapidly infusing composition of (6), wherein the         mammalian gelatin is bovine gelatin.     -   (8) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (7),         wherein the sugar alcohol is present in the rapidly infusing         composition in an amount of 5 to 35 wt. %, based on a total         weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.     -   (9) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (8),         wherein the sugar alcohol is mannitol.     -   (10) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (9),         wherein the flavorant is present in the rapidly infusing         composition in an amount of 0.5 to 10 wt. %, based on a total         weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.     -   (11) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (10),         wherein the flavorant comprises a mixture of citric acid and         black cherry flavor.     -   (12) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (11),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is present in the rapidly infusing         composition in an amount of 5 to 70 wt. %, based on a total         weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.     -   (13) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (12),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is in the form of a micronized solid         having a D90 diameter of 10 to 80 μm.     -   (14) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (13),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is selected from the group consisting         of sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil, lodenafil,         mirodenafil, and udenafil, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt         thereof.     -   (15) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (14),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is sildenafil or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt thereof.     -   (16) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (15),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is sildenafil citrate.     -   (17) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (14),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is tadalafil or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt thereof     -   (18) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (14),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is avanafil or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt thereof.     -   (19) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (14),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is vardenafil or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt thereof     -   (20) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (19),         wherein the rapidly infusing composition further comprises a         sweetener, a colorant, or both.     -   (21) The rapidly infusing composition of (20), wherein the         rapidly infusing composition comprises the sweetener, and the         sweetener comprises a mixture of sucralose and acesulfame-K.     -   (22) The rapidly infusing composition of (20) or (21), wherein         the rapidly infusing composition comprises the colorant, and the         colorant comprises FD&C Blue #2.     -   (23) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (22),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is not coated or encapsulated.     -   (24) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (23),         wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is not complexed with an ion exchange         resin.     -   (25) The rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (24),         which is free of alkaline buffering agents.     -   (26) A process for manufacturing the rapidly infusing         composition of any one of (1) to (25), comprising:         -   dissolving gelatin and the sugar alcohol in water to form a             solution;         -   adding the PDE₅ inhibitor to the solution, followed by the             flavorant, to form a drug product suspension; and         -   lyophilizing the drug product suspension to remove water and             form the rapidly infusing composition.     -   (27) A method of treating a condition in a subject that is         responsive to inhibition of PDE₅, the method comprising         administering to the subject in need thereof, via the oral         mucosa, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly         infusing composition of any one of (1) to (25).     -   (28) The method of (27), wherein the rapidly infusing         composition is administered buccally to the subject via the         buccal mucosa.     -   (29) The method of (27) or (28), wherein the therapeutically         effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that         which provides from 1 to 200 mg of the PDE₅ inhibitor per dose.     -   (30) The method of any one of (27) to (29), wherein the rapidly         infusing composition is administered to the subject once per day         as needed (p.r.n).     -   (31) The method of any one of (27) to (29), wherein the rapidly         infusing composition is administered to the subject once a day         (q.d.).     -   (32) The method of any one of (27) to (31), wherein the subject         is a human.     -   (33) A method of treating erectile dysfunction in a subject, the         method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof,         via the oral mucosa, a therapeutically effective amount of the         rapidly infusing composition of any one of (1) to (25).     -   (34) The method of (33), wherein the rapidly infusing         composition is administered buccally to the subject via the         buccal mucosa.     -   (35) The method of (33) or (34), wherein the therapeutically         effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that         which provides from 1 to 200 mg of the PDE₅ inhibitor per dose.     -   (36) The method of any one of (33) to (35), wherein the rapidly         infusing composition is administered to the subject once per day         as needed (p.r.n).     -   (37) The method of any one of (33) to (35), wherein the rapidly         infusing composition is administered to the subject once a day         (q.d.).     -   (38) The method of any one of (33) to (37), wherein the subject         is a human male.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and operational changes may be made without departure from the scope of the present embodiments disclosed herein.

Definitions

Throughout the specification and the appended claims, a given chemical formula or name shall encompass all stereo and optical isomers and racemates thereof where such isomers exist. Unless otherwise indicated, all chiral (enantiomeric and diastereomeric) and racemic forms are within the scope of the disclosure. Many geometric isomers of C═C double bonds, C═N double bonds, ring systems, and the like can also be present, and all such stable isomers are contemplated in the present disclosure. Cis- and trans- (or E- and Z-) geometric isomers, when present, may be isolated as a mixture of isomers or as separated isomeric forms. Compounds referenced in the disclosure can be isolated in optically active or racemic forms. Optically active forms may be prepared by resolution of racemic forms or by synthesis from optically active starting materials. All processes used to prepare these compounds and intermediates made therein are considered to be part of the present disclosure. When enantiomeric or diastereomeric products are prepared, they may be separated by conventional methods, for example, by chromatography, fractional crystallization, or through the use of a chiral agent. Depending on the process conditions, the end products referenced in the present disclosure are obtained either in free (neutral) or salt form. Both the free form and the salts of these end products are within the scope of the disclosure. If so desired, one form of a compound may be converted into another form. A free base or acid may be converted into a salt; a salt may be converted into the free compound or another salt; a mixture of isomeric compounds may be separated into the individual isomers. Compounds referenced in the present disclosure, free form and salts thereof, may exist in multiple tautomeric forms, in which hydrogen atoms are transposed to other parts of the molecules and the chemical bonds between the atoms of the molecules are consequently rearranged. It should be understood that all tautomeric forms, insofar as they may exist, are included within the disclosure. Further, a given chemical formula or name shall encompass all conformers, rotamers, or conformational isomers thereof where such isomers exist. Different conformations can have different energies, can usually interconvert, and are very rarely isolatable. There are some molecules that can be isolated in several conformations. For example, atropisomers are isomers resulting from hindered rotation about single bonds where the steric strain barrier to rotation is high enough to allow for the isolation of the conformers. It should be understood that all conformers, rotamers, or conformational isomer forms, insofar as they may exist, are included within the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “solvate” refers to a physical association of a referenced compound with one or more solvent molecules, whether organic or inorganic. This physical association includes hydrogen bonding. In certain instances, the solvate will be capable of isolation, for example when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. The solvent molecules in the solvate may be present in a regular arrangement and/or a non-ordered arrangement. The solvate may comprise either a stoichiometric or nonstoichiometric amount of the solvent molecules. Solvate encompasses both solution phase and isolable solvates. Exemplary solvent molecules which may form the solvate include, but are not limited to, water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, ethyl acetate and other lower alkanols, glycerin, acetone, dichloromethane (DCM), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl acetate (DMA), dimethylformamide (DMF), isopropyl ether, acetonitrile, toluene, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), tetrahydrofuran (THF), tetrahydropyran, other cyclic mono-, di- and tri-ethers, polyalkylene glycols (e.g., polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, propylene glycol), and mixtures thereof in suitable proportions. Exemplary solvates include, but are not limited to, hydrates, ethanolates, methanolates, isopropanolates and mixtures thereof. Methods of solvation are generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It should be understood that throughout the specification and the appended claims, a given chemical formula or name shall encompass all solvates, insofar as they may exist.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by making acid or base salts thereof. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic groups such as amines; and alkali or organic salts of acidic groups such as carboxylic acids and phenols. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the conventional non-toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, and nitric; and the salts prepared from organic acids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, sulfanilic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, and isethionic, and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present disclosure can be synthesized from the parent compound that contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; generally, non-aqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile are preferred. Lists of suitable salts are found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Edition, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1990)—which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

When referencing a particular composition/material, the phrase “consists essentially of”, means that the particular composition/material may include minor amounts of impurities so long as those impurities do not affect the basic and novel property of the invention—the ability to treat conditions responsive to inhibition of PDE₅, such as erectile dysfunction.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event(s) can or cannot occur or the subsequently described component(s) may or may not be present (e.g., 0 wt. %).

The terms “administer,” “administering,” “administration,” and the like, as used herein, refer to the methods that may be used to enable delivery of the active therapeutic ingredient (ATI) to the desired site of biological action. Routes or modes of administration are as set forth herein.

The terms “treat,” “treatment,” “treating,” and the like, refers to reduction in severity and/or frequency of symptoms; reduction of duration of symptoms; reduction, inhibition, slowing, or arresting of the progression of symptoms; elimination of symptoms and/or underlying cause; prevention of the occurrence of symptoms and/or their underlying cause; and improvement or remediation of damage. These terms thus encompass both prevention of the disorder in a predisposed individual and treatment of the disorder in a clinically symptomatic individual.

The term “erectile dysfunction” is intended to include any and all types of erectile dysfunction, including vasculogenic, neurogenic, endocrinologic, and psychogenic impotence, regardless of cause or origin, which interferes with at least one of the three phases of human sexual response, i.e., desire, excitement and orgasm.

The term Rapid Infusion Technology™ (RITe) platform or “rapidly infusing composition” as used herein means a solid dosage form containing medicinal substances that disintegrates rapidly in the oral cavity (when contacted with saliva) and infuses directly into systemic circulation via the oral mucosae, with no need for swallowing the constituents with saliva, or chewing or drinking/swallowing liquids (e.g., water, liquid carriers, saliva, etc.) to ingest these medicinal substances, with an in-vitro disintegration time of 30 second or less according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP)<701> Disintegration Test performed in deionized water maintained at 37° C.±2°. The disclosed rapidly infusing compositions are thus a different dosage form than, for example, a chewable tablet, a lozenge intended to be dissolved slowly in the mouth, an orally disintegrating film or tablet designed to be dissolved/disintegrated in the mouth and swallowed (also called “orodispersible” formulations), a tablet that should be swallowed whole with food or liquid, or any other oral dosage form designed for absorption from the GI tract.

The dosage amount and treatment duration are dependent on factors, such as bioavailability of a drug, administration mode, toxicity of a drug, gender, age, lifestyle, body weight, the use of other drugs and dietary supplements, the disease stage, tolerance and resistance of the body to the administered drug, etc., and then determined and adjusted accordingly. The terms “effective amount,” “therapeutically effective amount,” or “therapeutically effective dose” refer to a sufficient amount of an active therapeutic ingredient (ATI) being administered which provides the desired therapeutic or physiological effect or outcome, for example, the amount of ATI sufficient for relieving erectile dysfunction symptoms or for providing any other desired alteration of a biological system. Undesirable effects, e.g. side effects, are sometimes manifested along with the desired therapeutic effect; hence, a practitioner balances the potential benefits against the potential risks in determining what is an appropriate “effective amount”. The exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the age and general condition of the subject, mode of administration, and the like. An appropriate “effective amount” in any individual case may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation, for example through the use of dose escalation studies.

Rapid Infusion Technology™ (RITe) Platform

The present disclosure provides a rapidly infusing composition for administration of active therapeutic ingredients (ATIs) such as PDE₅ inhibitors via a non-gastric mucosal surface. As described in more detail below, the novel RITe™ platform presents ATIs such as PDE₅ inhibitors in an easy-to-take unit dosage form that is both convenient and discreet, and enables rapid delivery of such ATIs directly into systemic circulation via the oral mucosae for rapid onset of action, increased bioavailability, while mitigating any unpleasant taste imparted by such ATIs. In particular, the RITe™ platform enables oral mucosal administration of ATIs in a solid dosage form directly into systemic circulation via the sublingual mucosa (sublingual dosage form) or the buccal mucosa (buccal dosage form).

Administration may be carried out by simply placing the rapidly infusing composition directly in the buccal cavity (between the cheek and gum) or over the sublingual mucous gland (under the ventral surface of the tongue). Preferred rapidly infusing compositions are those which are lyophilized products formulated for rapid disintegration when placed in such an oral environment for rapid release of the ATI. The rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure may have a disintegration time of from approximately 1 second to 30 seconds or less, preferably 25 seconds or less, preferably 20 seconds or less, preferably 15 seconds or less, preferably 10 seconds or less, preferably 5 seconds or less, preferably 3 seconds or less, according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP)<701> Disintegration Test performed in deionized water maintained at 37° C.±2°. Particularly preferred rapidly infusing compositions are those formulated for oral disintegration in 5 seconds or less, preferably 4 seconds or less, preferably 3 seconds or less, preferably 2 seconds or less, preferably in approximately 1 second, according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) <701> Disintegration Test performed in deionized water maintained at 37° C.±2°.

A disintegration profile no higher than the above-mentioned upper limit provides a full dose of ATI to the subject within a short time frame—a ‘bolus’ of ATI which is rapidly absorbed through intimate contact with the oral mucosae directly into systemic circulation—providing short onset times to therapeutic effect. For example, buccal or sublingual administration of a PDE₅ inhibitor via the rapidly infusing composition disclosed herein may provide a median time to reach maximum plasma concentration (t_(max)) in under 30 minutes, preferably under 25 minutes, preferably under 20 minutes, preferably under 15 minutes, preferably under 10 minutes, preferably about 5 minutes. Such rapid infusion of the PDE₅ inhibitor into systemic circulation typically manifests in therapeutic onset times in under 15 minutes, preferably under 10 minutes, preferably under 8 minutes, preferably under 6 minutes, preferably under 5 minutes, preferably under 4 minutes, preferably under 3 minutes, preferably under 2 minutes, preferably about 1 minute. The rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure thus provide a significant improvement in onset time compared to ingested formulations of PDE₅ inhibitors (e.g., traditional film-coated oral tablets and orodispersible tablet and film forms designed to be dissolved in the oral cavity and swallowed), and when taken for the purpose of managing erectile dysfunction, the short onset times described above all but eliminates the need to schedule or plan dosing in advance of sexual activity. Rather, the rapidly infusing compositions may be taken immediately preceding sexual activity.

For utmost convenience, the rapidly infusing composition is presented in buccal/sublingual orally disintegrating tablet form that is designed to be taken without swallowing, for example without the aid of saliva, food, or liquids, and may be packaged in individual blister units. Unlike traditional routes for administering PDE₅ inhibitors such as oral tablets to be taken with liquids or orodispersible film/tablet formulations designed to be dissolved by mouth and then swallowed for release of ATI, the rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure are instead designed to be placed in the buccal cavity or over the sublingual gland for disintegration and systemic absorption in a matter of seconds without mastication, deglutition, or any other neuromuscular activity. One simply “takes it and it's gone,” offering subjects an unobtrusive and discreet administration route.

Another advantage of the RITe™ platform disclosed herein is that direct introduction of the ATI into systemic circulation via one or more of the oral mucosae avoids the pharmacokinetic disadvantages that trouble oral (enteral) delivery such as 1) exposure to the gastric environment that causes degradation, 2) first-pass metabolism through which the liver may remove of a substantial proportion of an ingested ATI, and 3) issues related to slow absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, e.g., certain PDE₅ inhibitors such as avanafil are known to undergo precipitation/aggregation due to pH changes as the drug is released from the stomach and enters the duodenum resulting in decreased absorption rates (see U.S. Pat. No. 10,028,916—incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Through a combination of rapid disintegration and direct systemic introduction, the rapidly infusing composition presents ATIs such as PDE₅ inhibitors in a highly bioavailable dosage form, typically with a bioavailability of at least 50%, preferably at least 55%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 65%, preferably at least 70%, preferably at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, and up to 99%, preferably up to 98%, preferably up to 96%, preferably up to 95%, preferably up to 92%. Such high bioavailability allows the dosage amount of ATI to be reduced, thereby minimizing adverse events.

Additionally, the rapidly infusing composition enables a defined dose of ATI to be absorbed via the oral mucosae, prior to the gastric mucosa, thereby presenting a defined and consistent level of ATI into systemic circulation for consistent and reliable pharmacological effects. The aforementioned high levels of bioavailability may be consistently achieved because the RITe™ platform reduces the tendency for enteral oral administration through voluntary or involuntary swallowing by shortening the residence time the ATI spends in the oral cavity. Any amount of ATI (e.g., PDE₅ inhibitor) that is swallowed would be subject to first-pass metabolism and thus overall lower bioavailability. Swallowing further results in greater variability in the effective amount of dosing, as a result of variability in the amount swallowed and the greater subject variability of bioavailability through first-pass metabolism for the amount swallowed. Furthermore, oral (enteral) formulations, such as film-coated tablets and orodispersible formulations, are dependent on the rate of absorption of ATI from the GI tract, these rates being known to vary depending upon whether a subject is in a fed or fasted state. For example, the onset of action from avanafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil administered as ingested oral tablets are known to vary significantly depending on the fed/fasted state of the subject—e.g., avanafil has a median t_(max) of 30-45 minutes (fasted) versus 1.62-2 hours (fed), and sildenafil and vardenafil each has a median t_(max) of 60 minutes (fasted) versus 120 minutes (fed). Similar discrepancies have also been seen when sildenafil is dosed in orodispersible dosage forms (see Damle, B.; Duczynski, G.; Jeffers, B. W. et al. Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Orodispersible Tablet of Sildenafil in Healthy Subjects, 2014, Clinical Therapeutics, 36 (2), 236-244). As a result, even more advanced planning may be required to achieve the expected benefits from these PDE₅ inhibitors taken via oral (enteral) dosage forms after meal times. Instead, the rapidly infusing compositions are designed for rapid disintegration in the oral cavity and rapid infusion of the ATI directly into systemic circulation via the oral mucosae, and as a result, are not subject to such gastrointestinal absorption variability, and thus consistent pharmacological outcomes such as consistently short onset times are achieved.

Yet another advantage of the RITe™ platform is that it enables effective taste masking of bitter-tasting ATIs such as PDE₅ inhibitors. Two main strategies contribute to the taste masking success of the present disclosure. First, any issues related to bitter taste are fundamentally mitigated by the short oral residence times provided by the rapid disintegration profile described heretofore. One “takes it and it's gone.” Second, when formulated with a flavorant, a robust mixture of flavors will hit the tongue at essentially the same time—the bitter flavor of the ATI still hits the tongue, but the perception of the flavor is canceled or mitigated by the simultaneous arrival of other flavors. Even then, the robust mixture of flavors will quickly subside as the composition is rapidly absorbed through the oral mucosa.

The rapidly infusing composition herein generally contains (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable binder and/or excipient system that includes gelatin, a sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol), and a flavorant, and optionally one or more of a sweetener and a colorant; and (b) a PDE₅ inhibitor as the active therapeutic ingredient.

Pharmaceutically Acceptable Carrier and/or Excipient System

Carriers and/or excipients are ingredients which do not provide a therapeutic effect themselves, but which are designed to interact with, and enhance the properties of, the active therapeutic ingredient. In particular, carriers and/or excipients may act as a vehicle for transporting the active therapeutic ingredient from one organ, or portion of the body, to another organ, or portion of the body. The selection of appropriate carrier/excipient ingredients may impact the solubility, distribution, release profile/kinetics, absorption, serum stability, therapeutic onset time, and ultimately the efficacy of the ATI, as well as the shelf-life, dosage forms, and processability of the drug product. Each ingredient in the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system must be “pharmaceutically acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the rapidly infusing composition and not injurious to the subject.

In light of the above, particular preference is given herein to pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient systems which include gelatin, a sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol), and a flavorant.

Gelatin is to be included in the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system in order to effect matrix formation in the lyophilized product, i.e., gelatin may act primarily as a matrix former. During manufacture of the rapidly infusing composition, lyophilization from an aqueous suspension results in the removal of water thereby leaving behind a gelatin matrix/scaffolding upon which the ATI and flavorant can be evenly dispersed or suspended. It has been found that gelatin has a propensity to establish a stable matrix in lyophilized form, yet allow for rapid disintegration when brought into contact with the aqueous oral environment, thereby providing efficient transfer of the ATI from the hydrophilic vehicle to the oral mucosa. In this regard, mammalian gelatins such as bovine gelatin and porcine gelatin are preferred, with bovine gelatin being particularly preferred. In some embodiments, the rapidly infusing composition does not contain fish gelatin.

The amount of gelatin used may be varied. Generally, gelatin may be present in the rapidly infusing composition in an amount of at least 10 wt. %, preferably at least 12 wt. %, preferably at least 14 wt. %, preferably at least 16 wt. %, preferably at least 18 wt. %, preferably at least 20 wt. %, preferably at least 22 wt. %, and up to 35 wt. %, preferably up to 32 wt. %, preferably up to 30 wt. %, preferably up to 28 wt. %, preferably up to 26 wt. %, preferably up to 24 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.

The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system is also formulated with one or more sugar alcohols, which may act primarily as a bulking agent. Examples of sugar alcohols include, but are not limited to, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, lactitol, and glycerin, which may be used singly or in combinations. Advantage can also be taken of the effect of certain sugar alcohols in terms of taste (sweetness and coolness due to endothermal heat of solution), as well as their ability to aid/speed tablet disintegration. In this regard, particular preference is given to mannitol.

The sugar alcohol, preferably mannitol, may be present in the rapidly infusing composition in any amount which provides the desired bulking/taste/disintegration effects. Generally, this amount will range from at least 5 wt. %, preferably at least 10 wt. %, preferably at least 12 wt. %, preferably at least 14 wt. %, preferably at least 16 wt. %, preferably at least 18 wt. %, and up to 35 wt. %, preferably up to 30 wt. %, preferably up to 28 wt. %, preferably up to 26 wt. %, preferably up to 24 wt. %, preferably up to 22 wt. %, preferably up to 20 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.

In some embodiments, a weight ratio of gelatin to sugar alcohol ranges from 1:3, preferably from 1:2, preferably from 1:1, preferably from 1.1:1, and up to 3:1, preferably up to 2:1, preferably up to 1.5:1, preferably up to 1.2:1.

The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system is also formulated with a flavorant to mask any unpleasant taste imparted by an unpleasant tasting ATI (e.g., a bitter-tasting PDE₅ inhibitor), and/or other ingredient(s), to provide the rapidly infusing composition with an acceptable taste profile.

Typical taste masking techniques for oral administration of unpleasant-tasting PDE₅ inhibitors, exemplified by extremely bitter-tasting sildenafil, have relied upon strategies that tend to prevent the release or uptake of the drug in the oral cavity, for example through the use of coatings or encapsulation, complexes with ion exchange resins, or pH adjustment strategies using alkaline buffering agents (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,552,024, 10,092,651, 10,568,832, U.S. Pat. No. 10,548,847, WO 2009/074995—each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Such strategies, however, tend to delay disintegration, uptake, and ultimately onset of action.

Instead, the inventors have taken an entirely different approach to taste masking. Here, the inventors have discovered that the RITe™ platform, which is a porous matrix with all ingredients generally evenly distributed throughout, combined with the very fast disintegration time described heretofore, can achieve taste masking by allowing a mixture of flavors to all reach the tongue at essentially the same time. So while the bitter flavor of the ATI still hits the tongue, the perception of the flavor is canceled or mitigated by the simultaneous arrival of other flavors. Even then, the robust mixture of flavors will quickly dissipate as the composition is rapidly absorbed through the oral mucosa. This technique achieves taste masking while maintaining the desired attributes of rapid uptake by the oral mucosa and thus shorter onset times and higher bioavailability.

While it is to be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the composition is not limited to any particular flavor, flavorants suitable with the present invention require trial and error in order to achieve desired effectiveness, with many flavor combinations proving to be non-intuitive. For example, as mentioned previously, one taste masking strategy for sildenafil relies on the use of alkaline buffering agents such as magnesium oxide and sodium hydroxide to raise the pH of the composition (US herein by reference in its entirety). In contrast, the present inventors have unexpectedly found that the addition of certain acidulants work particularly well for taste masking bitter PDE₅ inhibitors. Examples of acidulants may include, but are not limited to, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof, with particular preference given to citric acid.

Other suitable flavorants include, but are not limited to, oil of wintergreen, oil of peppermint, oil of spearmint, oil of sassafras, oil of clove, cinnamon, anethole, menthol, thymol, eugenol, eucalyptol, lemon, lime, lemon-lime, orange, black cherry, and other such flavor compounds to add fruit notes (e.g., citrus, cherry etc.), spice notes, etc., to the composition. The flavorants may be constitutionally composed of aldehydes, ketones, esters, acids, alcohols (including both aliphatic and aromatic alcohols), as well as mixtures thereof. Specific mention is made to a combination of citric acid and black cherry flavor, which works particularly well with PDE₅ inhibitors as the ATI.

Another flavorant used is so-called “masking flavor,” available from Firmenich, which is typically used as a food additive, but has been found here to be an effective component of the overall taste-masking strategy.

The flavorant may be used in any amount which provides the desired flavor, generally in an amount of up to 10 wt. %, for example in an amount of from 0.5 wt. %, preferably from 1 wt. %, preferably from 1.5 wt. %, preferably from 2 wt. %, and up to 10 wt. %, preferably up to 8 wt. %, preferably up to 6 wt. %, preferably up to 5 wt. %, preferably up to 4 wt. %, preferably up to 3 wt. %, preferably up to 2.5 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.

The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system may also optionally include one or more of a sweetener and a colorant.

The sweetener may be used in any amount which provides the desired sweetening effect, generally in amount of 0 to 10 wt. %, for example in an amount of up to 8 wt. %, preferably up to 6 wt. %, preferably up to 5 wt. %, preferably up to 4.5 wt. %, preferably up to 4 wt. %, preferably up to 3.5 wt. %, preferably up to 3 wt. %, preferably up to 2.5 wt. %, preferably up to 2 wt. %, preferably up to 1.5 wt. %, preferably up to 1 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis. Suitable examples of sweeteners include, but are not limited to, aspartame, saccharin (as sodium, potassium or calcium saccharin), cyclamate (as a sodium, potassium or calcium salt), sucralose, acesulfame-K, thaumatin, neohisperidin, dihydrochalcone, ammoniated glycyrrhizin, dextrose, maltodextrin, fructose, levulose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, galactose, oligosaccharide, starch syrup (e.g., hydrogenated starch syrup), trehalose, neotame, luo han guo extract, licorice extract, stevioside (e.g., enzyme modified stevioside), neohesperidine, monellin, and isomalt, which may be used singly or in combinations, with particular preference given to sucralose and acesulfame-K, more preferably a mixture of sucralose and acesulfame-K.

Likewise, the rapidly infusing composition may be colored or tinted through the optional use of one or more colorants. Suitable colorants are those approved by appropriate regulatory bodies such as the FDA and those listed in the European Food and Pharmaceutical Directives and include both pigments and dyes such as FD&C and D&C dyes, with specific mention being made to FD&C Blue #2.

In addition to gelatin, a sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol), a flavorant, and optionally one or more of a sweetener and a colorant, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system may optionally include one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients known to those of ordinary skill in art, in art appropriate levels. Examples of which include, but are not limited to,

-   -   fillers or extenders such as starches (e.g., corn starch and         potato starch), sugars (e.g., lactose or milk sugar, maltose,         fructose, glucose, trehalose, sucrose), dextrates, dextrin,         polydextrose, high molecular weight polyethylene glycols,         silicic acid, potassium sulfate, aluminum monostearate,         polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyanhydrides;     -   binders, such as cellulose and its derivatives, (e.g.,         carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,         hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,         hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (hypromellose), hydroxyethyl         methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose         acetate, cellulose acetate phthalate, and microcrystalline         cellulose), alginates (e.g., sodium alginate), polyvinyl         pyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate-vinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic         acid, methacrylate copolymers (e.g., methyl methacrylate         copolymers and Eudragit® products available from Evonik),         modified starch, powdered tragacanth, malt, acacia (gum arabic),         carbomer/carboxyvinyl polymer, carrageenan, chitosan,         copovidone, cyclodextrins and modified cyclodextrins, guar gum,         inulin, pectin (e.g., low viscosity pectin), polycarbophil or a         salt thereof, polyvinyl alcohol, pullulan, xanthan gum, casein,         protein extracts (e.g., whey protein extract, soy protein         extract), zein, levan, elsinan, gluten, locust bean gum, gellan         gum, and agar;     -   disintegrating agents, such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate,         tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, sodium         carbonate, sodium starch glycolate, and cross-linked sodium         carboxymethyl cellulose (croscarmellose sodium);     -   surfactants/absorption accelerators/wetting agents/emulsifying         agents/solubilizers, including any of the anionic, cationic,         nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and betaine variety, such as         polyalkylene oxide copolymers (e.g., poloxamers, polyethylene         oxide-polypropylene oxide copolymers), sodium lauryl sulfate,         sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium docusate, sodium lauryl         sulfoacetate, alkali metal or ammonium salts of lauroyl         sarcosinate, myristoyl sarcosinate, palmitoyl sarcosinate,         stearoyl sarcosinate and oleoyl sarcosinate, cetyl alcohol,         glycerol monostearate, glycerol oleate, fatty acid mono- and         di-esters of glycerol, fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol,         polyoxyethylene sorbitol, fatty acid esters of sorbitan,         polysorbates (polyalkolyated fatty acid esters of sorbitan)         (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, monoisostearate         and monolaurate), polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl         phenols, cocoamidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine,         palmityl betaine, glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl monostearate,         fatty alcohols (e.g., cetostearyl and cetyl alcohol), medium         chain triglycerides, medium chain fatty acids, polyethoxylated         castor oil, polyethoxylated alkyl ethers (e.g., ethoxylated         isostearyl alcohols), polyethylene glycols (Macrogols),         polypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylene stearates, anionic and         nonionic emulsifying waxes, propylene glycol alginates,         alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglycerized fatty         acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, mixtures of propylene         glycol fatty acid esters and glycerol fatty acid esters, sterol         and sterol derivatives, sugar esters, lower alcohol fatty acid         esters, fatty acids and bile acids and their corresponding         salts, ricinoleic acid/sodium ricinoleate, linoleic acid/sodium         linoleate, lauric acid/sodium laurate, mono-, di-, and         tri-hydroxy bile acids and their salts, sulfated bile salt         derivatives, phospholipids, ether carboxylates, succinylated         monoglycerides, mono/diacetylated tartaric acid esters of mono-         and diglycerides, citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides,         alginate salts, and lactylic esters of fatty acids;     -   plasticizers such as glycerin fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty         acid esters, lecithin (e.g., enzyme modified lecithin),         polysorbates, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol,         propylene glycol, triacetin, glycerol oleate, medium chain fatty         acids, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, acetyl tri-n-butyl         citrate, diethyl phthalate, castor oil, dibutyl sebacate, and         acetylated monoglycerides;     -   absorbents, such as kaolin and bentonite clay;     -   lubricants, such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate,         solid polyethylene glycols, zinc stearate, sodium stearate,         stearic acid, ethyl oleate, and ethyl laurate;     -   controlled release agents such as cross-linked polyvinyl         pyrrolidone (crospovidone);     -   opacifying agents such as titanium dioxide;     -   buffering agents, including alkaline buffering agents, such as         sodium hydroxide, sodium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum         hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium         phosphate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium         phosphate, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium         oxide, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen         phosphate, sodium phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium         carbonate;     -   osmotic agents such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride,         potassium chloride     -   diluents/tableting agents such as dicalcium phosphate and         colloidal silicon dioxide;     -   antioxidants, including (1) water soluble antioxidants, such as         ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium         metabisulfite, and sodium sulphite, (2) oil-soluble         antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated         hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin,         propyl gallate, and alpha-tocopherol; and (3) metal chelating         agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid         (EDTA), tartaric acid, and phosphoric acid;     -   antibacterial and antifungal agents, such as paraben,         chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid;     -   mucosal adhesion enhancers such as starch graft copolymers         (e.g., starch/acrylic acid copolymers) and other water-swellable         polymers that adhere to wet surfaces of the oral mucosa such as         carbomers, hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxides,         and polyacrylates;     -   as well as other non-toxic compatible substances employed in         pharmaceutical formulations, such as liposomes and micelle         forming agents;     -   including mixtures thereof.

Preferred rapidly infusing compositions are those which contain less than 1 wt. %, preferably less than 0.5 wt. %, preferably less than 0.1 wt. %, preferably less than 0.05 wt. %, preferably less than 0.001 wt. %, preferably 0 wt. %, of other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients, such as those listed above, in particular alkaline buffering agents and/or surfactants. In preferred embodiments, the rapidly infusing compositions are formulated without alkaline buffering agents such as sodium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium phosphate, potassium carbonate, and potassium bicarbonate, and those listed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,092,651—incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In preferred embodiments, the rapidly infusing compositions are formulated without surfactants/absorption accelerators/wetting agents/emulsifying agents/solubilizers. In preferred embodiments, the rapidly infusing compositions are formulated without mucosal adhesion enhancers such as starch graft copolymers, starch-acrylic acid copolymers, and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,024—incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In preferred embodiments, the rapidly infusing compositions are formulated without cellulose or derivatives thereof, such as microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose ethers.

Also preferred are rapidly infusing compositions which do not contain inert diluents, aqueous carriers, or non-aqueous carriers commonly used in the art for manufacture of liquid dosage forms for oral administration, such as emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs. Examples of inert diluents, aqueous or non-aqueous carriers, etc. which are preferably excluded herein may include, but are not limited to, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents, and emulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, oils (whether synthetic, semi-synthetic, or naturally occurring, such as long chain triglycerides, mixed glycerides, and free fatty acids, in particular, cottonseed oil, groundnut oil, corn oil, germ, olive oil, castor oil, sesame oil, borage oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, peanut oil, peppermint oil, poppy seed oil, canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated vegetable oils, glyceryl distearate, behenic acid, caprylyic/capric glycerides, lauric acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitostearic acid, ricinoleic acid, stearic acid, soy fatty acids, oleic acid, glyceryl esters of fatty acids such as glyceryl behenate, glyceryl isostearate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl palmitate, glyceryl palmitostearate, glyceryl ricinoleate, glyceryl oleate, glyceryl stearate), tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, fatty acid esters of sorbitan, organic esters such as ethyl oleate, and mixtures thereof, with specific mention being made to ethyl alcohol and sesame oil.

Active therapeutic ingredient (ATI) The disclosed rapidly infusing compositions are formulated with a PDE₅ inhibitor as the active therapeutic ingredient. Suitable examples of PDE₅ inhibitors include, but are not limited to, sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil, lodenafil, mirodenafil, and udenafil, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferred rapidly infusing compositions are those formulated with sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with sildenafil and tadalafil, or their salts, being the most preferred. While the PDE₅ inhibitors may be active against other known phosphodiesterases, it is preferred that they are selective towards PDE₅.

The PDE₅ inhibitor can be used directly or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include, but are not limited to, addition salts of a PDE₅ inhibitor with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, bisulfate salts such as sodium bisulfate, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, and dihydrogen phosphate salts such as monosodium phosphate; and addition salts of a PDE₅ inhibitor with organic acids such as aromatic acids (e.g., benzoic acids and substituted benzoic acids, naphthoic acids, etc.), hydroxyacids, heterocyclic acids, terpenoid acids, sugar acids (e.g., pectic acids), amino acids, aliphatic acids and cycloaliphatic acids, dicarboxylic acids, keto acids, and sulfonic acids. Suitable examples of organic acids include, but are not limited to, formic, acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, alpha-methylbutyric, isovaleric, beta-methylvaleric, maleic, hydroxymaleic, glutamic, benzoic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic, 4-acetamidobenzoic, gentisic, salicylic, sulfanilic, mucic, caproic, pamoic, 2-furoic, phenylacetic, heptanoic, octanoic, nonanoic, malic, citric, lactic, oxalic, malonic, glycolic, succinic, ascorbic, gluconic, tartaric, bitartaric, fumaric, pyruvic acids, levulinic, camphoric, benzenesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic acid, and isethionic acids, as well as fatty acids (e.g., those having carbon chains of C₈ to C₂₀) such as stearic acid. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be synthesized by conventional chemical methods, generally by reacting the PDE₅ inhibitor with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate acid in water or in an organic solvent (e.g., ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile), or in a mixture of the two. With respect to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of PDE₅ inhibitors, specific mention is made to sildenafil citrate and vardenafil HCl.

The present disclosure also encompasses prodrugs of the PDE₅ inhibitor that may be converted into the parent drug in vivo. A prodrug may be converted into the parent drug by various mechanisms, including, but not limited to, enzymatic processes, metabolic hydrolysis, etc., for example when the prodrug reaches systemic circulation and/or other extracellular fluid compartments. Suitable examples of a prodrug would be a PDE₅ inhibitor of the present disclosure which is administered as an ester, phosphate, amide, carbamate, carbonate, urea, or the like. Lodenafil carbonate is one example of a prodrug of a PDE₅ inhibitor which may be used herein.

The amount of PDE₅ inhibitor which can be combined with the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system to produce the rapidly infusing composition may vary depending upon the subject, the PDE₅ inhibitor being administered, the dosing schedule, and other factors. The amount of ATI which can be combined with the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system to produce a single dosage form will generally be that amount which produces a therapeutic effect (e.g., relief from ED related symptoms). Generally, this amount will range from 5 to 70 wt. % of the PDE₅ inhibitor, for example, at least 5 wt. %, preferably at least 10 wt. %, preferably at least 15 wt. %, preferably at least 20 wt. %, preferably at least 25 wt. %, preferably at least 30 wt. %, preferably at least 35 wt. %, and up to 70 wt. %, preferably up to 65 wt. %, preferably up to 60 wt. %, preferably up to 55 wt. %, preferably up to 50 wt. %, preferably up to 45 wt. %, preferably up to 40 wt. % of the PDE₅ inhibitor, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.

In terms of unit dose, the rapidly infusing composition is generally formulated with 1 to 200 mg of PDE₅ inhibitor per unit (e.g. tablet), for example at least 1 mg, preferably at least 2 mg, preferably at least 2.5 mg, preferably at least 5 mg, preferably at least 10 mg, preferably at least 15 mg, preferably at least 20 mg, preferably at least 25 mg, preferably at least 30 mg, preferably at least 40 mg, preferably at least 50 mg, and up to 200 mg, preferably up to 150 mg, preferably up to 100 mg, preferably up to 90 mg, preferably up to 80 mg, preferably up to 70 mg, preferably up to 60 mg of PDE₅ inhibitor per unit (e.g., tablet).

For example, a preferred amount of sildenafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is in a range of 10 to 100 mg, preferably 15 to 75 mg, preferably 25 to 50 mg per unit.

In another example, a preferred amount of tadalafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is in a range of 1 to 50 mg, preferably 2 to 25 mg, preferably 2.5 to 20 mg per unit.

In another example, a preferred amount of avanafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is in a range of 25 to 200 mg, preferably 40 to 100 mg, preferably 50 to 75 mg per unit.

In yet another example, a preferred amount of vardenafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is in a range of 1 to 50 mg, preferably 2 to 25 mg, preferably 2.5 to 20 mg per unit.

Preferred rapidly infusing compositions are those in which the PDE₅ inhibitor is provided in the form of a solid, with PDE₅ inhibitors that are in the form of a micronized solid being most preferred. In some embodiments, the rapidly infusing compositions are formulated with a PDE₅ inhibitor that has been micronized to a D90 particle diameter of at least 10 μm, preferably at least 15 μm, preferably at least 20 μm, preferably at least 25 μm, preferably at least 30 μm, preferably at least 35 μm, preferably at least 40 μm, and up to 80 μm, preferably up to 75 μm, preferably up to 70 μm, preferably up to 65 μm, preferably up to 60 μm, preferably up to 55 μm, preferably up to 50 μm, preferably up to 45 μm. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that during the manufacture of the rapidly infusing composition, when the PDE₅ inhibitor is presented in solid form and particularly in micronized solid form, lyophilization from a drug product suspension generates a structured and robust matrix of gelatin as the water is removed via sublimation, and an even distribution of the solid form of PDE₅ inhibitor throughout the gelatin matrix. Such a structured assembly of PDE₅ inhibitor dispersed within a gelatin matrix is believed to afford the rapidly infusing composition with rapid disintegration properties and efficient transfer of ATI from the hydrophilic vehicle to the mucous membrane of the buccal cavity, or the ventral surface under the tongue, upon administration.

The rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure are designed for rapid disintegration and rapid release of the PDE₅ inhibitor when placed in the oral cavity. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the PDE₅ inhibitor of the present disclosure is not coated or encapsulated. That is, the PDE₅ inhibitor of the present disclosure is directly disposed or distributed in a gelatin matrix, without any intermediate layer(s) that cover, partially cover, or completely encapsulate particles of the PDE₅ inhibitor. Such coatings or encapsulating agents which are preferably excluded herein may be made from one or more polymers, polymer-membranes (water-insoluble/gastrosoluble polymers), or microencapsulating agents, for example, for the purpose of taste masking the PDE₅ inhibitor by preventing its release in the oral cavity. Examples of coatings or encapsulating agents may include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl acetate; methacrylate copolymers (e.g., Eudragit® RS, RL, L, S and NE 30 D polymers available from Evonik) and aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymers (e.g., Eudragit® E100 or EPO polymers available from Evonik); polyvinylacetal diethylaminoacetate (e.g., AEA); polysaccharides (e.g., methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate trimellitate, cellulose acetate butyrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin and derivatives, guar gum, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum, gellan sodium salt, propylene glycol alginate, starches and modified starches such as hydroxyethyl starch and carboxymethyl starch, pullulan, maltodextrins and corn syrup solids such as Maltrin® produced by Grain Processing Corporation, etc.); polypeptides or proteins (e.g., albumins, milk proteins, soy protein, whey protein, etc.); polyethylene-imines; polyacrylic acids; polyacrylamides; polyvinylpyrollidone; polyalkylene glycols (e.g., poloxamers); polyvinyl alcohols; carboxyvinyl polymers; colloidal silicon dioxide; as well as those fillers, binders, and/or plasticizers disclosed heretofore; and materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,568,832, 6,552,024, 10,548,847—each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For the purposes of the present disclosure, none of the gelatin, sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol), or flavorant of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier/excipient system described herein are considered to form a coating or to encapsulate the PDE₅ inhibitor.

The PDE₅ inhibitor may be optionally complexed with an ion exchange resin such as a cation exchange resin, for example for the purpose of additional taste masking of the PDE₅ inhibitor. Examples of cation exchange resins are those resins which are strongly acidic, weakly acidic, or of intermediate acidity, due to the presence of acidic groups such as carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphonous acids, iminodiacetic acids, and/or phenolic groups, with the optional presence of anionic groups so long as the resin is nonetheless acidic overall. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, resins formed from methacrylic acid type polymers, acrylic acid type polymers, and polystyrene type polymers with sulfonic acid and/or phosphonic acid functional groups, cross-linked polymers such as those addition polymers formed from polymerization of acidic monomers (e.g., acid functionalized styrene, methacrylic acid, and/or acrylic acid) with a crosslinking agent such as divinylbenzene and cross-linked phenolic resins. An example of a sildenafil ion exchange resin complex is described in WO 2009/074995—incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In preferred embodiments, the PDE₅ inhibitor is not complexed with an ion exchange resin.

In preferred embodiments, the PDE₅ inhibitor is the only active therapeutic ingredient in the rapidly infusing composition. In preferred embodiments, the rapidly infusing composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of gelatin, mannitol, flavorant, sweetener, colorant, and a PDE₅ inhibitor selected from sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil, lodenafil, mirodenafil, and udenafil, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Process for Manufacturing the Rapidly Infusing Composition

Manufacturing of the rapidly infusing compositions may be accomplished generally by i) dissolving gelatin, sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol), and any optional component of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient system in water to form a solution, ii) adding the PDE₅ inhibitor to the solution, followed by the flavorant, to form a drug product suspension, and iii) lyophilizing the drug product suspension to remove water and form the rapidly infusing composition.

One exemplary process is presented below, although it should be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible, and the rapidly infusing composition may be produced using processes or techniques otherwise than as specifically described.

Purified water, gelatin, and sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol) may be charged to a mixer, for example a pot equipped with an overhead stirrer, and heated (e.g., 40 to 80° C.) with agitation until complete solvation. Any desired sweetener (e.g., a mixture of sucralose and acesulfame-K) may then be added and allowed to dissolve. The masking flavor is then added and allowed to dissolve.

Upon cooling, for example to 20 to 35° C., ATI (e.g., PDE₅ inhibitor) is added to the solution, preferably in micronized form, and dispersed to form a drug product suspension. The black cherry flavorant, citric acid and any desired colorant may be added at this point with continued mixing. The drug product suspension may be transferred to a second mixer whilst maintaining a cooled temperature (e.g., 20 to 35° C.).

In a blistering machine equipped with a dosing system, blister pockets may next be filled with the drug product suspension until achieving a target dose weight, followed by freezing in a suitable cryochamber. The blister trays may be transferred from the cryochamber to a suitable refrigerated storage cabinet (e.g., at a temperature below 0° C.) to keep the product frozen prior to lyophilization. Then, the frozen blisters may be loaded into a lyophilizer and subject to lyophilization to sublimate the water and form the rapidly infusing compositions. Finally, when the lyophilization cycle is deemed complete, final sealing (e.g., heat sealing of blister lidding) may be performed to provide the rapidly infusing compositions in single dose units in individual blister units.

Therapeutic Applications and Methods

The present disclosure also relates generally to methods of administering a PDE₅ inhibitor to a subject in need thereof, whereby the PDE₅ inhibitor is administered via the RITe™ platform of the present disclosure, in one or more of its embodiments. The disclosed rapidly infusing compositions may be used to treat any adverse condition, disease, or disorder that is generally responsive to, or treatable with, a type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE₅ inhibitor), for example those conditions, diseases and disorders in which modulation of smooth muscle, renal, hemostatic, inflammatory, and/or endocrine function is desirable. Based on the pharmacological and physiological mechanisms and effects from PDE₅ inhibitors, the adverse conditions, diseases, and disorders treatable by PDE₅ inhibitors, and thus treatable using the rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure, may include, but are not limited to, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, female sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, acute coronary syndrome, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, a cardiovascular disease associated with hormone replacement therapy, conditions of reduced blood vessel patency such as postpercutaneous transluminal coronary or carotid angioplasty and the like, deep vein thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, heart disease, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's disease, renal ischemia, renal vascular homeostasis, thrombotic or thromboembolytic stroke, venous thromboembolism, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and angina), cerebral stroke, cerebrovascular conditions such as cerebral ischemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, benign prostatic hyperplasia, autoimmune diseases, overactive bladder, bladder outlet obstruction, incontinence, cachexia, cancer, diabetes, endarterectomy, diseases characterized by disorders of gut motility (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome and diabetic gastroparesis), dysmenorrhoea, elevated intraocular pressure, glaucoma, glomerular renal insufficiency, hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, inflammatory diseases, insulin resistance syndrome, macular degeneration, nephritis, optic neuropathy, osteoporosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, renal failure, respiratory tract disorders (e.g., acute respiratory failure, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, chronic asthma, reversible airway obstruction, and allergic disorders associated with atopy such as urticaria, eczema, or rhinitis), thrombocytemia, tubular interstitial diseases, as well as two or more of such adverse conditions, diseases, and disorders.

Other medical conditions for which a PDE₅ inhibitor is indicated, and for which treatment with the compositions of the present disclosure may be useful include, but are not limited to, pre-eclampsia, Kawasaki's syndrome, nitrate tolerance, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy including autonomic and peripheral neuropathy and in particular diabetic neuropathy and symptoms thereof (e.g., gastroparesis, peripheral diabetic neuropathy), Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, skin necrosis, metastasis, baldness, hypertensive peristalsis, anal fissure, hemorrhoids, insulin resistance syndrome, hypoxic vasoconstriction as well as the stabilization of blood pressure during hemodialysis.

Preferred conditions treated herein include erectile dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, benign prostatic hyperplasia, myocardial infarction, and angina.

In preferred embodiments, the methods herein are used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In such embodiments, the subject is a human male. Subjects with risk factors that may cause or contribute to ED, and whom may be the recipients of treatment herein, include those taking certain prescription drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, beta blockers, alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, thiazides, hormone modulators, and 5α-reductase inhibitors), those with neurogenic disorders (e.g., diabetes, temporal lobe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy), subjects with cavernosal disorders (e.g., Peyronie's disease), post-surgical subjects (e.g., radical prostatectomy), subjects with advanced age (e.g., 60 years of age or older), those with kidney failure, obese subjects, subjects with cardiovascular disease, and subjects with lifestyle habits such as smoking. However, some people have no identifiable risk factors.

With respect to administration, the rapidly infusing composition is preferably administered to the subject via one or more of the oral mucosae, preferably via the buccal mucosa (buccally) or the sublingual mucosa (sublingually). Advantages of oral mucosal delivery include the ease of administration, the ability to bypass first-pass metabolic processes thereby enabling higher bioavailability than through enteral delivery via the gastrointestinal tract, and extensive drug absorption and rapid onset of therapeutic action due to either a large surface area in the case of sublingual administration, or high-levels of vascularization in the case of buccal administration.

Upon being administered buccally (between the cheek and gum) or sublingually (under the ventral surface of the tongue), the rapidly infusing composition preferably disintegrates in 5 seconds or less, preferably 4 seconds or less, preferably 3 seconds or less, preferably 2 seconds or less, preferably about 1 second.

Owing to the rapid disintegration profile of the rapidly infusing composition and the direct introduction of the PDE₅ inhibitor into systemic circulation through the sublingual mucosa or the buccal mucosa, the methods described herein are particularly advantageous in terms of their ability to rapidly deliver the PDE₅ inhibitor into the subject's bloodstream for short onset times to therapeutic effect. For example, buccal or sublingual administration of a PDE₅ inhibitor via the rapidly infusing composition disclosed herein may provide a median time to reach maximum plasma concentration (t_(max)) in under 30 minutes, preferably under 25 minutes, preferably under 20 minutes, preferably under 15 minutes, preferably under 10 minutes, preferably about 5 minutes. Such rapid infusion of the PDE₅ inhibitor into systemic circulation typically manifests in therapeutic onset times in under 15 minutes, preferably under 10 minutes, preferably under 8 minutes, preferably under 6 minutes, preferably under 5 minutes, preferably under 4 minutes, preferably under 3 minutes, preferably under 2 minutes, preferably about 1 minute. When taken for the purpose of managing erectile dysfunction, the short onset time afforded herein reduces or eliminates the need to schedule or plan dosing in advance of sexual activity, and instead the rapidly infusing compositions may be taken immediately preceding sexual activity.

Administration of the rapidly infusing composition via one or more of the oral mucosae may provide a single dose bioavailability of PDE₅ inhibitor of at least 50%, preferably at least 55%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 65%, preferably at least 70%, preferably at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, and up to 99%, preferably up to 98%, preferably up to 96%, preferably up to 95%, preferably up to 92%. Such high bioavailability is also consistently achieved since absorption through the buccal/sublingual mucosa is not effected by the fed/fasted state of the subject.

Administration may be carried out by simply placing the rapidly infusing composition directly in the buccal cavity (between the cheek and gum) or over the sublingual mucous gland (under the ventral surface of the tongue). While the sublingual mucosa has a large surface area and extremely good permeability, the blood supply (blood flow) is lesser than that of the buccal cavity. Furthermore, sublingual administration tends to stimulate the flow of saliva more than buccal administration, and the increased saliva production may make it more difficult for subjects to avoid swallowing. Any amount of PDE₅ inhibitor that is swallowed would be subject to first-pass metabolism and thus overall lower bioavailability. Swallowing further results in greater variability in the effective amount of dosing, as a result of, including but not limited to, the variability in the amount swallowed, variability in absorption from the GI tract, and the greater subject variability of bioavailability through first-pass metabolism for the amount swallowed. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the rapidly infusing composition is administered buccally (through the buccal mucosa). The rapid disintegration of the rapidly infusing composition, approximately in 1-5 seconds in preferred embodiments, and buccal administration together combine to provide optimal dosing control by limiting the residence time in the oral cavity and ensuring that the vast majority of the PDE₅ inhibitor is absorbed through the buccal mucosa. The limited residence time also minitigates any undesired bitter taste imparted by the PDE₅ inhibitor.

Another particular advantage of the disclosed methods is that buccal/sublingual administration is convenient and discreet—the rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure are designed to be placed in the buccal cavity or over the sublingual gland for disintegration and systemic absorption in a matter of seconds without mastication, deglutition, or any other neuromuscular activity. This ability to administer ATIs such as PDE₅ inhibitors in an easy-to-take and discreet format, without food or liquids, is particularly advantageous to those experiencing erectile dysfunction symptoms who require treatment in urgent or in unexpected situations.

The actual amount of PDE₅ inhibitor administered to the subject may be varied so as to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular subject, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the subject. The selected amount of PDE₅ inhibitor administered to the subject will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the PDE₅ inhibitor employed, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion or metabolism of the particular compound being employed, the rate and extent of absorption, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds, and/or materials used in combination with the rapidly infusing composition, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health, the prior medical history of the subject, the subjects tolerance to vasodilators, as well as like factors well known in the medical arts.

By way of example, a physician having ordinary skill in the art can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the PDE₅ inhibitor required, by starting doses of the PDE₅ inhibitor at levels lower than that required in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increasing the dosage until the desired effect is achieved. In general, a suitable dose of the PDE₅ inhibitor will be that amount which is the lowest dose effective to produce a therapeutic effect, which will generally depend upon the factors described above. Typically, the therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that which provides the PDE₅ inhibitor in a range from at least 1 mg, preferably at least 2 mg, preferably at least 2.5 mg, preferably at least 5 mg, preferably at least 10 mg, preferably at least 15 mg, preferably at least 20 mg, preferably at least 25 mg, preferably at least 30 mg, preferably at least 40 mg, preferably at least 50 mg, and up to 200 mg, preferably up to 150 mg, preferably up to 100 mg, preferably up to 90 mg, preferably up to 80 mg, preferably up to 70 mg, preferably up to 60 mg of the PDE₅ inhibitor per dose.

In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that which provides sildenafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of 10 to 100 mg, preferably 15 to 75 mg, preferably 25 to 50 mg per dose. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that which provides tadalafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of 1 to 50 mg, preferably 2 to 25 mg, preferably 2.5 to 20 mg per dose. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that which provides avanafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of 25 to 200 mg, preferably to 100 mg, preferably 50 to 75 mg per dose. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that which provides vardenafil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of 1 to 50 mg, preferably 2 to 25 mg, preferably 2.5 to 20 mg per dose. Of course, dosages above these ranges may be appropriate in some cases based on effectiveness and toleration, and lower in certain cases such as when a previous dose is not tolerated, or when the subject is concurrently taking alpha blockers, anti-hypertensives, and CYP inhibitors such as CYP3A4 inhibitors, as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Relative to subject body weight, the therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition may be that which provides the PDE₅ inhibitor to the subject in an amount of at least 0.01 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.05 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.1 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.15 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.2 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.25 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.3 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.35 mg/kg, preferably at least 0.4 mg/kg, and up to 3 mg/kg, preferably up to 2 mg/kg, preferably up to 1 mg/kg, preferably up to 0.9 mg/kg, preferably up to 0.8 mg/kg, preferably up to 0.6 mg/kg, preferably up to 0.5 mg/kg, preferably up to 0.45 mg/kg, per dose.

In order to achieve the above described therapeutically effective amount per dose, the methods herein may involve administering one, or more than one, unit of the rapidly infusing composition per dose (dosing event). For example, in circumstances where each unit of the rapidly infusing composition contains 25 mg of PDE₅ inhibitor (e.g., sildenafil citrate), and it has been determined that the subject requires a therapeutically effective amount of 50 mg of PDE₅ inhibitor per dose, then the subject may be given two (2) units (e.g., tablets) to achieve the desired therapeutically effective amount of 50 mg PDE₅ inhibitor per dose. Accordingly, depending on the unit dose of PDE₅ inhibitor in each unit of the rapidly infusing composition, the therapeutically effective amount of PDE₅ inhibitor prescribed, etc., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more units (e.g., tablets) may be administered to the subject per dose. Accordingly, the phrases “administering to the subject in need thereof, via the oral mucosa, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition”, “the rapidly infusing composition is administered”, etc., are intended herein to include administration of a single unit (e.g., tablet), or multiple units (e.g., tablets), to the subject in order to provide a therapeutically effective amount of PDE₅ inhibitor. While it may be possible to administer partial (e.g., half) tablets to the subject, for practical reasons, it is preferred that one or more whole tablets are administered to the subject.

In some embodiments, particularly when used for treating erectile dysfunction, administration may be performed “as needed” (p.r.n.). Here, otherwise known as on demand administration, the rapidly infusing composition is administered at a time just prior to the time at which drug efficacy is wanted, e.g., just prior to anticipated sexual activity, and within a time interval sufficient to provide for the desired therapeutic effect, e.g., enhancement in sexual desire and in sexual responsiveness during sexual activity. For example, when used for treating erectile dysfunction, “as needed” administration may involve administration immediately prior to sexual activity, generally within about 30 minutes, preferably within about 25 minutes, preferably within about 20 minutes, preferably within about 15 minutes, preferably within about 10 minutes, preferably within about 5 minutes prior to anticipated sexual activity. In any case, the rapidly infusing composition is typically not administered more than once per day.

In other embodiments, the subject may be prescribed a dosage regimen that involves ongoing, daily use, with preferred administration being carried out once a day (q.d.). Once daily administration may be performed for the treatment of, inter alia, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, Raynaud's disease, and the like, or two or more conditions concurrently such as for the treatment of both erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia. For example, rapidly infusing compositions formulated with tadalafil may be administered once a day for ongoing treatment. Administration may be performed on consecutive days, or otherwise, to achieve desired results (e.g., relief from erectile dysfunction). The subject may be administered a therapeutically effective dose of the rapidly infusing composition, typically once per day for consecutive days, for 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12 days, 13 days, 14 days, or more, such as weeks, months, or even years. When taken for the ongoing treatment of erectile dysfunction, a daily dosage regimen of the rapidly infusing composition may be taken without regard to timing of sexual activity. Dosage regimens for ongoing, daily use preferably involve a consistent dosing amount and schedule, for example where the subject takes buccally or sublingually the same therapeutically effective dose of the rapidly infusing composition at approximately the same time every day. While not necessarily the case, ongoing, daily dosage regimens will typically involve PDE₅ dosage amounts that are lower than those used for as needed administration. For example, administration of tadalafil via the rapidly infusing compositions herein may be in doses of 5 to 20 mg for as needed dosing, but in doses of 1 to 5 mg for ongoing, daily dosage schedules.

The RITe™ platform herein may be used as a stand-alone therapeutic agent for administering a PDE₅ inhibitor, or may be used in combination therapy. The combination therapy may be applied to treat one condition, for example, subjects suffering from erectile dysfunction may be treated with a combination of the rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure and another therapy aimed at treating erectile dysfunction. In one non-limiting example, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the rapidly infusing compositions may be used in combination with another erectile dysfunction therapy including, but not limited to, prostaglandin creams such as those combining alprostadil with a permeation enhancer (e.g., DDAIP); penile injections with papaverine, phentolamine, or alprostadil; urethra suppositories with alprostadil; testosterone therapies; and surgical procedures such as vascular reconstructive surgeries.

The combination therapy may also be applied to treat a combination of different conditions, for example, erectile dysfunction and another condition selected from diabetes mellitus, depression, anxiety, hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, male pattern hair loss, among others. Examples of other therapies which may be co-administered with the rapidly infusing compositions of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, antidiabetic drugs such as metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, DPPIV inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, glinides, and α-glucosidase inhibitors, with specific mention being made to linagliptin, sitagliptin, saxagliptin, vildagliptin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin, ertugliflozin, ipragliflozin, luseogliflozin, sotagliflozin, tofogliflozin, sergliflozin, and remogliflozin; antidepressants and anxiolytics such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline); anti-hypertensive agents including diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, alpha-2 receptor agonists, and combined alpha and beta-blockers, with specific mention being made to amiloride, thiazides, and propranolol; and antiandrogens such as 5α-reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride and dutasteride).

Combination therapy is intended to embrace administration of these therapies in a sequential manner, that is, wherein the rapidly infusing composition and one or more other therapies are administered at a different time, as well as administration of these therapies, or at least two of the therapies, in a substantially simultaneous manner. Substantially simultaneous administration can be accomplished, for example, by administering to the subject multiple, single dosage forms for each of the therapeutic agents. Sequential or substantially simultaneous administration of each therapeutic agent can be effected by any appropriate route including, but not limited to, oral routes, intravenous routes, transdermal routes, intramuscular routes, and direct absorption through mucous membrane tissues. The therapeutic agents can be administered by the same route or by different routes. For example, the rapidly infusing composition formulated with a PDE₅ inhibitor thereof may be administered via buccal administration while a dosage form of alprostadil may be administered transdermally. Alternatively, for example, the therapeutic agent(s) may be each administered buccally. Combination therapy also can embrace the administration of the rapidly infusing composition in further combination with other non-drug therapies (e.g., surgery). Where the combination therapy further comprises a non-drug treatment, the non-drug treatment may be conducted at any suitable time so long as a beneficial effect from the co-action of the combination of the therapeutic agent(s) and non-drug treatment is achieved.

The examples below are intended to further illustrate the materials and methods of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Where a numerical limit or range is stated herein, the endpoints are included. Also, all values and subranges within a numerical limit or range are specifically included as if explicitly written out.

As used herein the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of “one or more.”

The present disclosure also contemplates other embodiments “comprising”, “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, the embodiments or elements presented herein, whether explicitly set forth or not.

All patents and other references mentioned above are incorporated in full herein by this reference, the same as if set forth at length.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

EXAMPLES Rapidly Infusing Compositions Ingredients

The ingredients that were used to make the rapidly infusing compositions are given in Table 1. USP=United States Pharmacopeia. EP=European Pharmacopoeia. NF=National Formulary.

TABLE 1 Ingredients Ingredient Primary Function Specification Gelatin Matrix former USP/EP/NF Mannitol Bulking agent USP/EP Citric acid Flavorant USP/EP/NF Black cherry flavor Flavorant Non-compendial Masking flavor Flavorant Non-compendial Sildenafil citrate ATI USP/NF Tadalafil ATI USP/NF Sucralose Sweetener USP/NF Acesulfame-K Sweetener USP/NF FD&C Blue #2 Colorant Non-compendial Purified water Vehicle USP/EP

Example 1

A rapidly infusing composition was made using the formulation given in Table 2. The amount of each component is expressed in terms of weight percentage relative to a total weight (100%). The weight percentage of each component in the drug product suspension is on a wet basis (prior to removal of water). The weight percentage of each component in the rapidly infusing composition is on a dry basis (after removal of water).

TABLE 2 Example 1 rapidly infusing composition with sildenafil Drug product suspension Rapidly Infusing Composition % wt./wt. wt./unit % wt./wt. Ingredient (wet) (dry) (dry) Gelatin 3.5% 13.1 mg 23.9% Mannitol 3.0% 11.2 mg 20.4% Citric acid 0.2% 0.7 mg 1.3% Black cherry flavor 0.3% 1.1 mg 2.0% Masking flavor 0.4% 1.5 mg 2.7% Sildenafil citrate 6.7% 25 mg 45.6% Sucralose 0.3% 1.1 mg 2.0% Acesulfame-K 0.3% 1.1 mg 2.0% FD&C Blue #2 trace trace Trace Purified water 85.3% Removed during Removed during manufacture manufacture Total 100.0 — 100.0 Process for making the rapidly infusing composition

-   -   Purified water was charged to a pot and mixed using an overhead         stirrer as an agitating device.     -   With agitation, the requisite amount of gelatin and mannitol         were dispersed, and the mixture was heated until the excipients         were dissolved.     -   Once dissolved, the sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame-K and         the masking flavor were added and allowed to dissolve.     -   The solution was cooled to 30° C., and then the requisite amount         of PDE₅ inhibitor was charged and dispersed to create a drug         product suspension.     -   The requisite amount of citric acid, black cherry flavor were         charged and mixed for 10 minutes, then the FD&C Blue #2 colorant         is added.     -   The resulting drug product suspension was transferred to a         second overhead mixer and maintained at a temperature of 30° C.         for the ensuing dosing operation.     -   In a blistering machine equipped with a dosing system, blister         pockets were filled with a target dose weight of 300.0 mg of the         drug product suspension.     -   The product was frozen in a suitable cryochamber and then the         blister trays were transferred from the cryochamber to a         suitable refrigerated storage cabinet (temperature below 0° C.)         prior to lyophilizing to keep the product frozen.     -   The frozen blisters were loaded from the refrigerated storage         cabinet into lyophilizers and the product was lyophilized (water         was sublimated) to form the rapidly infusing compositions.     -   When the lyophilizing cycle was completed, the rapidly infusing         compositions were transferred from the lyophilizers to the         blistering machine where the blister trays were heat sealed with         lidding material. The resulting tablets are flat-topped circular         units approximately 15 mm in diameter with a convex bottom         packaged in individual blister units (see also U.S. Provisional         Application No. 63/114,181, filed Nov. 16, 2020— incorporated         herein by reference in its entirety).     -   The following tests were performed:         -   A seal integrity test was performed at −0.5 Bar for 30             seconds, 1-minute soak time         -   Visual inspection was performed

Dry Weight Testing was Performed Example 2

A rapidly infusing composition will be made using the formulation given in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Example 2 rapidly infusing composition with tadalafil Ingredients Gelatin Mannitol Citric acid Black cherry flavor Masking flavor Tadalafil Sucralose Acesulfame-K FD&C Blue #2 Purified water Process for making the rapidly infusing composition

-   -   Purified water is charged to a pot and mixed using an overhead         stirrer as an agitating device.     -   With agitation, the requisite amount of gelatin and mannitol are         dispersed, and the mixture is heated until the excipients are         dissolved.     -   Once dissolved, the sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame-K and         the masking flavor are added and allowed to dissolve.     -   The solution is cooled to 30° C., and then the requisite amount         of PDE₅ inhibitor is charged and dispersed to create a drug         product suspension.     -   The requisite amount of citric acid, black cherry flavor are         charged and mixed for 10 minutes, then the FD&C Blue #2 colorant         is added.     -   The resulting drug product suspension is transferred to a second         overhead mixer and maintained at a temperature of 30° C. for the         ensuing dosing operation.     -   In a blistering machine equipped with a dosing system, blister         pockets are filled with a target dose weight of 300.0 mg of the         drug product suspension.     -   The product is frozen in a suitable cryochamber and then the         blister trays are transferred from the cryochamber to a suitable         refrigerated storage cabinet (temperature below 0° C.) prior to         lyophilizing to keep the product frozen.     -   The frozen blisters are loaded from the refrigerated storage         cabinet into lyophilizers and the product is lyophilized (water         was sublimated) to form the rapidly infusing compositions.     -   When the lyophilizing cycle is completed, the rapidly infusing         compositions are transferred from the lyophilizers to the         blistering machine where the blister trays were heat sealed with         lidding material. The resulting tablets are flat-topped circular         units approximately 15 mm in diameter with a convex bottom         packaged in individual blister units (see also U.S. Provisional         Application No. 63/114,181, filed Nov. 16, 2020— incorporated         herein by reference in its entirety).     -   The following tests were performed:         -   A seal integrity test was performed at −0.5 Bar for 30             seconds, 1-minute soak time         -   Visual inspection was performed         -   Dry weight testing was performed 

1. A rapidly infusing composition, comprising: a pharmaceutically acceptable binder and/or excipient system comprising gelatin, a sugar alcohol, and a flavorant, and a PDE₅ inhibitor.
 2. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, which is lyophilized.
 3. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, which has a disintegration time of approximately 1 to 30 seconds in deionized water maintained at 37° C.±2° C.
 4. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, which has a disintegration time of approximately 1 to 5 seconds in deionized water maintained at 37° C.±2° C.
 5. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the gelatin is present in the rapidly infusing composition in an amount of 10 to 35 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.
 6. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the gelatin is mammalian gelatin.
 7. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 6, wherein the mammalian gelatin is bovine gelatin.
 8. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the sugar alcohol is present in the rapidly infusing composition in an amount of 5 to 35 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.
 9. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the sugar alcohol is mannitol.
 10. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the flavorant is present in the rapidly infusing composition in an amount of 0.5 to 10 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.
 11. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the flavorant comprises a mixture of citric acid and black cherry flavor.
 12. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is present in the rapidly infusing composition in an amount of 5 to 70 wt. %, based on a total weight of the rapidly infusing composition on a dry basis.
 13. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is in the form of a micronized solid having a D90 diameter of 10 to 80 μm.
 14. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil, lodenafil, mirodenafil, and udenafil, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 15. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is sildenafil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 16. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is sildenafil citrate.
 17. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is tadalafil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 18. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is avanafil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 19. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is vardenafil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 20. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the rapidly infusing composition further comprises a sweetener, a colorant, or both.
 21. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 20, wherein the rapidly infusing composition comprises the sweetener, and the sweetener comprises a mixture of sucralose and acesulfame-K.
 22. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 20, wherein the rapidly infusing composition comprises the colorant, and the colorant comprises FD&C Blue #2.
 23. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is not coated or encapsulated.
 24. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, wherein the PDE₅ inhibitor is not complexed with an ion exchange resin.
 25. The rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, which is free of alkaline buffering agents.
 26. A process for manufacturing the rapidly infusing composition of claim 1, comprising: dissolving gelatin and sugar alcohol in water to form a solution; adding the PDE₅ inhibitor to the solution, followed by the flavorant, to form a drug product suspension; and lyophilizing the drug product suspension to remove water and form the rapidly infusing composition.
 27. A method of treating a condition in a subject that is responsive to inhibition of PDE₅, the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof, via the oral mucosa, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition of claim
 1. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the rapidly infusing composition is administered buccally to the subject via the buccal mucosa.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that which provides from 1 to 200 mg of the PDE₅ inhibitor per dose.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the rapidly infusing composition is administered to the subject once per day as needed (p.r.n).
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the rapidly infusing composition is administered to the subject once a day (q.d.).
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the subject is a human.
 33. A method of treating erectile dysfunction in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof, via the oral mucosa, a therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition of claim
 1. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the rapidly infusing composition is administered buccally to the subject via the buccal mucosa.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the rapidly infusing composition is that which provides from 1 to 200 mg of the PDE₅ inhibitor per dose.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the rapidly infusing composition is administered to the subject once per day as needed (p.r.n).
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein the rapidly infusing composition is administered to the subject once a day (q.d.).
 38. The method of claim 33, wherein the subject is a human male. 